Frequently Asked Questions

You are always free to ask our teachers any questions about classes, the studio, or yoga in general—we are happy to help! But there are a few that pop up regularly, so you’ll find the answers to those here. You can also check out our information for New Students and our Studio Etiquette.

You are the perfect person to practice yoga! At YogaStream, we emphasize the importance of moving from a base of strength, rather than pushing into hyper-flexibility. We are especially careful about protecting the low back, hamstrings, and the neck: common areas of traditional yoga injuries. Practicing at YogaStream will certainly increase your flexibility and range of motion, leading to improved posture, balance, and overall wellbeing, but we want your lengthening to be supported by a strong muscular matrix and an aligned skeleton to avoid overstretching and injury.

Definitely! You can start yoga at any point in life, regardless of age or ability. Check out the class descriptions and feel free to ask a teacher or someone at the front desk for help in finding the best class for you.

We have a special Intro offer for students new to YogaStream: Two weeks of unlimited classes for $20. You can sign up on our website, or come to the studio in person. You’re welcome to come as often as you want for those two weeks, to explore our many class offerings and the unique styles of our different teachers. After the introductory offer, you can select from a menu of payment options, including five- and ten-class packs, unlimited monthly or annual Stream memberships, and drop-ins.

We also offer a 20% discount for full-time students and K-12 teachers, excluding the Intro special and drop-ins. If you take two or more classes a week, Stream membership provides the best value. And just so you know—YogaStream classes are addictive!

Depending on the occurrence and severity of the injury, you may be able to practice yoga with some modifications. Always let the teacher know ahead of class if you have any specific concerns so that he or she can help you with modifications. With an older or chronic injury, the teacher can also make sure that your alignment in a pose is not exacerbating the area. And please remember: you are always welcome to rest, take a child’s pose, or modify a posture even if the teacher doesn’t cue it. You are the best monitor of your own body. If a pose doesn’t feel good, and certainly if it causes pain, please do not do it.

If you want to learn how to do a handstand, then a YogaStream practice will prepare you for the pose and teach you how to do it safely. However, you never, ever have to do a handstand, or even try to do one, if you don’t want to! You will never be pushed to do any posture you do not feel ready for. Many people find that Down Dog is their inversion of choice and are happiest upside-down with two feet on the ground. We teach handstands and other inversions at YogaStream because weight-bearing on your hands powerfully activates the muscles of your entire core; when you position your body in space differently (for example, on your arms rather than your legs), you spark the firing of new neural pathways that can lead to tremendous mental invigoration; and, just as importantly, it is joyful fun to be on your hands! In a YogaStream class, the attention to alignment and core strengthening will help you be strong and safe in every pose, feet down or up.

We have consciously created a community of teachers who support one another and believe fiercely in the YogaStream method. Lara Heimann, the founder of YogaStream, carefully analyzed classical yoga styles and, using her physical therapy background, modified some of the traditional poses to avoid causing common yoga injuries. The concept of the Stream is also unique to our studio; the second half of the class revisits, with variations, the sequences of the first half, allowing the neural mapping of your brain and body to imprint even deeper with immediate repetition. Because our teachers have all been trained at YogaStream, yogis can take classes with all our teachers and be confident of the quality and consistency of the classes and messaging.

A common complaint about yoga is that it lacks any “cardio” benefit. However, with YogaStream, you will reap the benefits of an all-body “workout” because of its unique mash-up of traditional yoga poses, physical therapy exercises, dance-inspired sequences, plyometrics, strength drills, and plenty of time on your hands! Many long-time YogaStream yogis practice four to six times a week, finding that it gives them such a well-rounded, thorough physical and mental experience that they don’t need to go to the gym or do additional physical exercises.

Every YogaStream teacher has been personally trained by Lara Heimann in anatomy, yoga philosophy, and the YogaStream method, and is RYT certified through Yoga Alliance. Each teacher, however, brings his or her unique personality, style, and interests to their classes. Our amazing teachers have backgrounds from occupations as diverse as physical therapists; elementary school teachers; professional actors, writers, and editors; fitness coaches; scientists; and Princeton University students, but they are united by the YogaStream teaching method, and you will receive consistent messaging from all our teachers on how to remain safe on your mat as you open up through strength.

You should wear comfortable, breathable yoga/athletic clothes. You will be sweating in all kinds of weather once you get moving, but layering is recommended in the cooler months, so you can stay warm before and after class.

Please bring a yoga mat (you can borrow one the first time at the studio but we prefer that you use your own for hygienic reasons), a small towel, and a reusable water bottle to fill up at our filtered water station.

Arrive a few minutes early so you can set up your mat and be ready to start on time.

Check in at the front desk before entering the class space.

Leave your cell phone on mute and in the reception area.

Avoid using perfumes or colognes before coming to class.

Don’t leave early unless absolutely necessary—you will miss out on the deep benefits of Savasana, the final resting pose, and the closing of the class, which completes the experience of the practice. Your early departure may also disrupt the experiences of others.

If you must leave early, exit quietly before the final hip opener sequence (usually Pigeon or Figure 4), to minimize disturbing others.

For new yogis, we suggest starting with classes once or twice a week, and then increasing the frequency after a month if desired. For experienced yogis, up to six times a week, with one day off, is recommended. We can all practice yoga in our lives every day!